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My Last Duchess, a la Shmoop. Every couple has issues in their relationship.

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Maybe the man likes to leave the toilet seat up...

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...and maybe the woman hogs the remote so she can binge on "Cupcake Wars."

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Or maybe it's the other way around. In the poem "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning...

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...a duke and his wife have some serious relationship problems.

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What was so awful about the duchess that her husband felt compelled to... get rid of her?

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Well, the duchess was an annoyingly positive person. Have you ever met someone who is bright

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and happy and cheerful all the time?

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Have you ever wanted to hide in your blanket fort and sulk in response?

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Maybe the duke didn't have a blanket fort. Second possibility: The duchess flirted with

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men left and right, which made the duke jealous.

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Perhaps the duke thought that if his wife wouldn't love and cherish only him...

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...he shouldn't have to love and cherish her.

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But... the duke is a meanie who couldn't bear not being able to control his wife's emotions.

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As a nobleman with an ancient title, lots of cash, and great taste in art...

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...the duke exerts control over his dukedom, and everyone and everything in it.

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When he couldn't control the duchess' feelings, the duke decided his wife had to go.

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So, what might the duke's motive have been for ridding himself of his duchess?

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Was it her eternally positive attitude?

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Was it her flirtatiousness?

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Or is the duke just... a psychotic jerk? Shmoop amongst yourselves.

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